Improvement in grave-covers and monuments



' I ZSheetS- -l Sheet 1'. R. H. SIPESf Grav e Comer and Monument.

' Patented March9,\875

ATTORNEYS THE GRAPHIC CO.PHOTQ umse &4I PARK PmcL 2Sheets--Sheet2.- B H. SIPES. Grave Cuver and Monument.

Pa tented March 9, I875.

ATTORNEYS THE GRAPHIC C(LPHOTU -LTH.39 8 41 PARK PIACEJLY.

NITED STATES ROBERT H. SIPES, OF EVERETT, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN GRAVE-COVERS AND MONUMENTS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 160,622, dated March 9, 1875; application filed February 13, 1875.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, R0121. H. SIPEs, of Everett, in the county of Bedford and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and valuable Improvement in Grave-Covers; and I do hereby declare that the following is afull, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings making a part of this specification, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon.

Figure 1 of the drawing is a representation of a perspective view of my gravecover. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of the same, and Figs. 3 and 4c are transverse vertical sectional views.

This invention has relation to improvements in grave-covers, wherein are employed castiron boxes for covering the mound, and marble head and foot stones for receiving the inscription.

The object of the invention is, in the first place, to protect the marble head and foot stones from becoming stained in consequence of the oxidization of the grave-cover, and in the second place to prevent the pins whereby the stones are secured to the grave-cover from being injured by the moisture of the earth. To this end the nature of the invention consists in a plate of non-corrodible metal, which is interposed between the stones and the gravecover, whereby the former, not being in contact with the latter, are protected from being discolored by its rusting, and are kept white and pure. It also consists in one or more thickened downwardly-projecting portions at the head and foot and upon the under side of the grave'cover, which thickened parts are provided each with a cylindrical recess adapted to receive a pin rigidly secured to the under sides of the head and foot stone, whereby the said pins are protected from being attacked and speedily destroyed by oxidization, as will be hereinafter more fully explained.

In the annexed drawings, A designates a cast-iron grave-cover of suitable length and breadth, which is provided with an opening, a, with raised sides b, forming a flower-bed, in which various shrubs and plants may be cultivated during the summer. Opening ais provided with a detachable cover, B, whereby roots planted in the mound may be protected from the biting frosts and winds of winter. This cover may be of galvanized iron, or it may be protected from rust by painting. 0 designates a head-board, and D a foot-board, both of marble, and each provided with pins 0, projecting downwardly from their under surfaces, as shown in Fig. 4. These pins are adapted to be received into correspondinglyshaped recesses in thickened parts 61 on the under side, and at the head and foot of the said cover, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4. They are thus protected from the destroying effect of moisture in the soil, and rendered very durable. E designates a non-oorrodible metallic plate, preferably of zinc, which is interposed between the base of the head and foot stones and the grave-cover, for the purpose of preventing the former from discoloration in consequence of the oxidization of the latter.

It is well known that water getting in the joint of a marble vase, statue, or head-stone and its iron base produces rapid corrosion of the latter, and greatly stains and discolors the latter, causing them to present a very unsigh tly appearance. This defect is effectually remedied by the interposition of a non-corrodible metallic plate between them, as above described.

In practice I propose to use a plinth, F, upon the grave-cover as a base for the head or foot stone; but I may at pleasure dispense withit, when the stones will be secured directly to the cover.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a'tombstone, the combination of a me tallic plate, E, with a marble head or foot stone and a cast-iron grave-cover, A, substan tially as and for the purpose specified.

2. In a grave-cover, the recessed parts 61, adapted to protect pins 0 from the moisture of the soil, substantially as specified.

In testimony that I claim the above 1 have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

ROBERT H. SIPES.

Witnesses:

SAML. B. TATE, J 0s. 0. LONG. 

